Systems and methods for implementing standard operating procedures in a graphical display configuration

Abstract

Systems and methods for generating an SOP object and executing the SOP object is described herein. The SOP object may include (a) a first element corresponding to a description for performing one or more steps of an SOP when monitoring or controlling a process plant, (b) a second element corresponding to a link to process control data associated with a first process control element included in an operating environment of the process plant to receive real-time data corresponding to a process being controlled in the process plant; and (c) a layout defining a visual representation of the first element and the second element.

1 . A standard operating procedure (SOP) viewing system for executing an SOP object, the SOP viewing system comprising:
 a memory configured to store the SOP object, the SOP object comprising:
 a first element corresponding to a description for performing one or more steps of an SOP when monitoring or controlling a process plant; 
 a second element corresponding to a link to process control data associated with a first process control element included in an operating environment of the process plant to receive real-time data corresponding to a process being controlled in the process plant; and 
 a layout defining a visual representation of the first element and the second element, and 
   a display interface application including computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, and the computer-executable instructions causing one or more processors to:
 receive the SOP object from the memory; and 
 execute the SOP object so that the first element and the second element are presented on a display in a single display view according to the layout, and an indication of the process control data that is associated with the first process control element while executing in the operating environment of the process plant is presented by the second element on the display. 
   
     
     
         2 . The SOP viewing system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the SOP object further comprises a third element corresponding to a process control function associated with the first process control element or a second process control element included in the operating environment of the process plant to effect the process being controlled in the process plant,   wherein the layout further defines the visual representation to include the third element with respect to the first element and the second element, and   wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to execute the SOP object, so that the third element is presented on the display according to the layout, and, upon selection of the third element, effects the first process control element or the second process control element while executing in the operating environment of the process plant.   
     
     
         3 . The SOP viewing system of  claims 1 , wherein the first process control element is a first field device or a first controller. 
     
     
         4 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 2 , wherein the second process control element is a second field device or a second controller. 
     
     
         5 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 2 , wherein the link defines a location within at least one of a data historian, database, the first process control element, or the second process control element at which the process control data can be obtained. 
     
     
         6 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 2 , wherein the process control data is generated by at least one of the first process control element or the second process control element. 
     
     
         7 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 1 , wherein the process control data comprises at least one of a measurement value, a status value, or a set point value. 
     
     
         8 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 2 , wherein the process control function comprises at least one of:
 actuating the first process control element or the second process control element;   shutting down the first process control element or the second process control element; or   setting a set point value that effects operation of the first process control element or the second process control element.   
     
     
         9 . A standard operating procedure (SOP) viewing system for executing an SOP object, the SOP viewing system comprising:
 a memory configured to store the SOP object, the SOP object comprising:
 a first element corresponding to a description for performing one or more steps of an SOP when monitoring or controlling a process plant; 
 a second element corresponding to a process control function associated with a first process control element included in an operating environment of the process plant to effect a process being controlled in the process plant; and 
 a layout defining a visual representation of the first element and the second element, and 
   a display interface application including computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, and the computer-executable instructions causing one or more processors to:
 receive the SOP object from the memory; and 
 execute the SOP object so that the first element and the second element are presented on a display in a single display view according to the layout, and, upon selection of the second element, effects the first process control element while executing in the operating environment of the process plant. 
   
     
     
         10 . The SOP viewing system of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the SOP object further comprises a third element corresponding to a link to process control data associated with the first process control element or a second process control element included in the operating environment of the process plant to receive real-time data corresponding to the process being controlled in the process plant,   wherein the layout further defines the visual representation to include the third element with respect to the first element and the second element, and   wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to execute the SOP object, so that the third element is presented on the display according to the layout, and an indication of the process control data that is associated with the first process control element or the second process control element while executing in the operating environment of the process plant is presented by the third element on the display.   
     
     
         11 . The SOP viewing system of  claims 9 , wherein the first process control element is a first field device or a first controller. 
     
     
         12 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 10 , wherein the second process control element is a second field device or a second controller. 
     
     
         13 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 10 , wherein the link defines a location within at least one of a data historian, database, the first process control element, or the second process control element at which the process control data can be obtained. 
     
     
         14 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 10 , wherein the process control data is generated by at least one of the first process control element or the second process control element. 
     
     
         15 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 9 , wherein the process control data comprises at least one of a measurement value, a status value, or a set point value. 
     
     
         16 . The SOP viewing system of any of  claims 9 , wherein the process control function comprises at least one of:
 actuating the first process control element or the second process control element;   shutting down the first process control element or the second process control element; or   setting a set point value that effects operation of the first process control element or the second process control element.   
     
     
         17 . A configuration system for configuring an SOP object, the configuration system comprising:
 one or more tangible, non-transitory memories;   one or more processors; and   a configuration application including computer-executable instructions stored on the one or more tangible, non-transitory memories, and the computer-executable instructions causing the one or more processors to:
 receive first information pertaining to a description for performing one or more steps of an SOP when monitoring or controlling a process plant; 
 create a first element that defines the description; 
 receive second information pertaining to process control data associated with a first process control element included in an operating environment of the process plant; 
 create a second element that defines a link to the process control data; 
 receive third information pertaining to a layout defining a visual representation of the first element and the second element; and 
 configure the SOP object according to the first element, the second element, and the layout, so that upon execution of the SOP object, the first element and the second element are presented on a display in a single display view according to the layout, and an indication of the process control data that is associated with the first process control element while executing in the operating environment of the process plant is presented by the second element on the display; and 
   a database configured to store the SOP object.   
     
     
         18 . The configuration system of  claim 17 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
 receive fourth information pertaining to a process control function for effecting the first process control element or a second process control element included in the operating environment of the process plant;   create a third element that defines inputs and outputs at a control module, function block or object, the first process control element, or the second process control element for performing the process control function in the operating environment; and   configure the SOP object according to the first element, the second element, the third element, and the layout, the layout further defining a visual representation of the third element with respect to the first element and the second element, so that upon execution of the SOP object, the third element is presented on the display according to the layout, and the third element, upon selection, effects the first process control element or the second process control element according to the process control function while executing in the operating environment of the process plant.   
     
     
         19 . The configuration system of  claims 18 , wherein the computer-executable instructions causing the one or more processors to create the second element comprise computer-executable instructions to configure the second element to display process control data received from at least one of a data historian, database, the first process control element, or the second process control element. 
     
     
         20 . The configuration system of  claims 18 , wherein the computer-executable instructions causing the one or more processors to create the third element comprise computer-executable instructions to configure the third element to, upon selection, send a signal to a function block or control module associated with the first process control element or the second process control element. 
     
     
         21 . The configuration system of any of  claims 18 , wherein the process control function comprises at least one of:
 actuating the first process control element or the second process control element;   shutting down the first process control element or the second process control element; or   setting a set point value that effects operation of the first process control element or the second process control element.   
     
     
         22 . A maintenance system for executing an SOP object, the maintenance system comprising:
 a memory;   one or more processors; and   a database configured to store a plurality of SOP objects, each of the SOP objects comprising:
 an identifier; 
 a first element corresponding to a description for performing one or more steps of an SOP when monitoring or controlling a process plant; 
 a second element corresponding to a link to process control data associated with a first process control element included in an operating environment of the process plant to receive real-time data corresponding to a process being controlled in the process plant; and 
 a layout defining a visual representation of the first element and the second element; and 
   a maintenance application including computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, and the computer-executable instructions causing the one or more processors to:
 receive an indication to retrieve one of the plurality of SOP objects from the database; 
 retrieve the SOP object among the plurality of SOP objects having an identifier that matches the indication; and 
 execute the retrieved SOP object, so that the first element and the second element are presented on a display in a single display view according to the layout, and an indication of the process control data that is associated with the first process control element while executing in the operating environment of the process plant is presented by the second element on the display. 
   
     
     
         23 . The maintenance system of  claim 22 ,
 wherein each of the SOP objects further comprises a third element corresponding to a process control function associated with the first process control element or a second process control element included in the operating environment of the process plant to effect the process being controlled in the process plant,   wherein the layout further defines the visual representation to include the third element with respect to the first element and the second element, and   wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to execute the retrieved SOP object, so that the third element is presented on the display according to the layout, and, upon selection of the third element, effects the first process control element or the second process control element while executing in the operating environment of the process plant.   
     
     
         24 . The maintenance system of  claims 22 , wherein the identifier is associated with a name of the SOP object. 
     
     
         25 . The maintenance system of  claims 22 , wherein the identifier is associated with a version of the SOP object. 
     
     
         26 . The maintenance system of  claims 22 , wherein the identifier is associated with a version of a configuration application used to create the SOP object. 
     
     
         27 . A computer-executed method for executing an SOP object, the method comprising:
 receiving, by one or more processors, the SOP object stored in memory, the SOP object comprising:
 a first element corresponding to a description for performing one or more steps of an SOP when monitoring or controlling a process plant; 
 a second element corresponding to a link to process control data associated with a first process control element included in an operating environment of the process plant to receive real-time data corresponding to a process being controlled in the process plant; and 
 a layout defining a visual representation of the first element and the second element; and 
   executing, by the one or more processors, the SOP object so that the first element and the second element are presented on a display in a single display view according to the layout, and an indication of the process control data that is associated with the first process control element while executing in the operating environment of the process plant is presented by the second element on the display.   
     
     
         28 . The computer-executed method of  claim 27 ,
 wherein the SOP object further comprises a third element corresponding to a process control function associated with the first process control element or a second process control element included in the operating environment of the process plant to effect the process being controlled in the process plant,   wherein the layout further defines the visual representation to include the third element with respect to the first element and the second element, and   wherein executing the SOP object causes the third element to be presented on the display according to the layout and, upon selection of the third element, effects the first process control element or the second process control element while executing in the operating environment of the process plant.